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Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) 2024
8 Day River Cruise Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles
Tour Description:
Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. You’ll have plenty of time to explore this historical city further and be sure to sample Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the city of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, where you’ll go on a guided walk. Continue your river cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.
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Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing| Day 1 Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation): | Onboard welcome reception |
| Day 2 Tournus: | Guided walk in Tournus; onboard cheese tasting |
| Day 3 Lyon: | Choice of guided sightseeing; with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture |
| Day 4 Lyon: | Culinary tour |
| Day 5 Tournon-Viviers: | Guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral |
| Day 6 Avignon: | Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes |
| Day 7 Arles: | Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop or walk with your Adventure Host |
| Day 8 Arles (Disembarkation): | Your cruise ends this morning. |
Notes:
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1
CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding
Flights into Lyon must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS
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Day 2
TOURNUS Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
CLASSIC Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.
Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin.
DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3
LYON La Vie En Rose in Lyon
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.
ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.
DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance your lecture on board your ship.
Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 4
LYON Adventures in Food and Wine
DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France.
The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals.
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 5
TOURNON A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage.
Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.
VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country Village
CLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
Join your Adventrue Host for today’s special activities.
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes.
Guided Optional Excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.
Explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.
Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
ARLES Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights
ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city.
Take free time to stop in Le Café van Gogh for a glass of wine.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.
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Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
